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In an incident that can be said as adding another layer to England’s meticulous preparations for the upcoming Ashes series down under, Jordan Cox’s decision underscores the growing tug-of-war between international developments and franchise glamour. Jordan Cox amassed 1,667 runs across formats last summer, was selected in the 18-member Lions squad in late September alongside players like Rehan Ahmed and Matthew Fisher, for a series against Australia A. But the 23-year-old is appearing to give priority to franchise cricket over international commitments.
Jordan Cox will cut short his stint with the England Lions in Australia later this year. Fresh off being crowned the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) Men's Player of the Year last week, Cox has confirmed to be signed with Dubai Capitals in the International League T20 (ILT20) before the tournament's December 2 opener, prioritising a reported USD250,000 contract that ranks among the league's richest. “We have got an agreement,” Cox revealed at the PCA Awards on October 9, 2025. He further added, “I won't be at the Lions as long as people think. I will be there for the first game, maybe the second. It's mainly to help the England boys get ready for the Test matches, which is the most important thing. When they don't need me, they will flick me off to Dubai.”
Jordan Cox will depart before the Lions’ clash with Australia A later this year
Reports indicate Jordan Cox will depart before the Lions' clash with Australia A in Brisbane on December 5, 2025. It is also said to be a golden window for Cox to audition live in front of head coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes, and managing director Rob Key, who have admired his white-ball exploits but seen less of his four-day steel. “It will be nice to show Stokes, Baz and Keysy,” he added. Cox further stated, “They haven't watched me live much in red-ball cricket. They have come to Hundred or T20 games, but I don't imagine they are coming to much four-day cricket. Maybe they will see something different that they like or not and I'd like to show them what I can do in the flesh.”
Jordan Cox's Lions inclusion stems from a summer of sustained excellence that finally cracked open the England door. After a thumb injury sidelined him during last winter's tour, robbing a Test debut, he roared back with a maiden international half-century against Ireland last month, a 78 run knock that sealed his recall for the ongoing T20I series in New Zealand. There, alongside Brydon Carse and the white-ball squad, he's currently based in Christchurch, gearing up for the series opener at Hagley Oval. Domestically, his Essex campaign punctuated by a County Championship average north of 50 and stints with Oval Invincibles in The Hundred propelled him to PCA glory, reportedly edging out players like Joe Root and Ed Barnard in a peer-voted landslide.
